How Do You Spell BLACKOUT?

Pronunciation: [blˈaka͡ʊt] (IPA)

Blackout is one of the most commonly used words in the English language, especially when it comes to describing a loss of power or consciousness. The spelling of this word is important to avoid confusion with other words, such as "backout" or "blockout." The phonetic transcription of "blackout" is /ˈblæk.aʊt/. This means that the word has two syllables, with the stress falling on the first syllable. The "a" sound in the second syllable is pronounced like "ow" in "cow."

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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BLACKOUT Meaning and Definition

  1. Blackout is a noun that refers to the sudden loss or absence of electrical power or light, resulting in a complete and temporary darkness. It can occur due to various reasons, such as power grid failures, severe weather conditions, equipment malfunctions, or intentional actions. During a blackout, all sources of artificial light, including streetlights, buildings, and electronic devices, cease to function. This loss of power disrupts normal activities and can pose risks to safety and security.

    In addition to power outages, blackout can also describe a temporary loss of consciousness or memory. In this context, it refers to a period of time in which an individual is unable to recall events or experiences that occurred during a specific period, usually due to excessive alcohol consumption, drug usage, trauma, or medical conditions.

    Blackouts can have significant impacts on daily life, as they can disrupt communication, transportation, commerce, and essential services. They can lead to inconvenience, economic losses, and potential dangers, particularly in situations where emergency services are affected. To mitigate these impacts, many individuals and organizations invest in backup power systems, such as generators or uninterruptible power supplies, to ensure minimal disruption during power outages.

    Furthermore, the term "blackout" is also used colloquially to describe the temporary loss of all contact with the outside world, often due to a lack of access to the internet or other forms of communication. This can occur in remote areas, during natural disasters, or in situations where communication networks are deliberately disabled for security or privacy reasons.

Common Misspellings for BLACKOUT

Etymology of BLACKOUT

The word "blackout" has its origins in the late 19th century and combines the words "black" and "out".

"Black" refers to the absence of light or color, indicating darkness or the state of being completely dark. Meanwhile, "out" represents the state of being deprived of or having something removed. The combination of these two terms creates "blackout", which originally described a complete loss or absence of light.

Over time, "blackout" came to be used in a broader sense. It began to signify the loss of electricity, resulting in a darkened area, often due to a power failure or deliberate shut-off. It then extended to refer to the act or event of deliberately extinguishing or obscuring lights, such as during air raids or military operations.

In addition to its literal meaning, "blackout" acquired figurative usage.

Similar spelling words for BLACKOUT

Plural form of BLACKOUT is BLACKOUTS

Conjugate verb Blackout

CONDITIONAL

I would blackout
you would blackout
he/she/it would blackout
we would blackout
they would blackout

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be blackouting
you would be blackouting
he/she/it would be blackouting
we would be blackouting
they would be blackouting

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have blackout
you would have blackout
he/she/it would have blackout
we would have blackout
they would have blackout

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been blackouting
you would have been blackouting
he/she/it would have been blackouting
we would have been blackouting
they would have been blackouting

FUTURE

I will blackout
you will blackout
he/she/it will blackout
we will blackout
they will blackout

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be blackouting
you will be blackouting
he/she/it will be blackouting
we will be blackouting
they will be blackouting

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have blackouted
you will have blackouted
he/she/it will have blackouted
we will have blackouted
they will have blackouted

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been blackouting
you will have been blackouting
he/she/it will have been blackouting
we will have been blackouting
they will have been blackouting

IMPERATIVE

you blackout
we let´s blackout

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to blackout

PAST

I blackouted
you blackouted
he/she/it blackouted
we blackouted
they blackouted

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was blackouting
you were blackouting
he/she/it was blackouting
we were blackouting
they were blackouting

PAST PARTICIPLE

blackouted

PAST PERFECT

I had blackouted
you had blackouted
he/she/it had blackouted
we had blackouted
they had blackouted

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been blackouting
you had been blackouting
he/she/it had been blackouting
we had been blackouting
they had been blackouting

PRESENT

I blackout
you blackout
he/she/it blackouts
we blackout
they blackout

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am blackouting
you are blackouting
he/she/it is blackouting
we are blackouting
they are blackouting

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

blackouting

PRESENT PERFECT

I have blackouted
you have blackouted
he/she/it has blackouted
we have blackouted
they have blackouted

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been blackouting
you have been blackouting
he/she/it has been blackouting
we have been blackouting
they have been blackouting

Infographic

Correct spelling for blackout
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